Means for gathering or plaiting textile and like material preparatory to smocking the same



Feb. 18, 1941. c; c E4 KEET 2,232,178

I MEANS FOR GATHERIG R LAITING TEXTILE AND LIKE MATERIAL PREFARATORY TosMoCKING THE SAME Feb. 18, 1941. G, Q E, KEET 2,232,178 v MEANS FORGATHERING 0R PLAITING TEXTILE AND LIKE MATERIAL PREPARATORY To sMocKINGTHE SAME v Filed Nov. l, 1939 2 Sheds-Sheet 2 1 Mt/Of Patented F eb. 18,1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Gabriel Christiaan Erasmus Keet,Johannesburg, Transvaal, Union of South Africa Application November 1,1939, Serial No. 302,314 y, In the Union of South Africa November 24,1938 l 15 Claims.

'I'he present invention consists of improvements in means for gatheringor plaiting cloth or textile or like materials preparatory to smockingthe same.

It relates more particularly to a means or machine for the purposespecified wherein a pair of rotated meshing toothed wheels is employedbetween which the material is passed, and which impart thereto therequisite folding for the gathering or plaiting, the said wheels beinggrooved or recessed peripherally to provide openings between them, andwherein a plurality of threaded needles are provided the ends of whichare arranged in the openings and which are adapted to pass through thefolded material to retain the folded formation.

In the operation of the aforesaid means or machine the amount ofmaterial which can be gathered or plaited at one time is limited to theamount which can be collected on or taken by the needles, and the objectof the present invention is soto construct the means or machine that anylength of material can be gathered or plaited thereby.

According to the invention the needle holder or carrier is movable orslidable in directions to wards and away from the toothed wheels, sothat the pointed ends of the needles carried thereby can be movedthrough the openings provided by and between the wheels. Means areprovided for gripping, clamping o-r holding the needles beyond thewheels or at the opposite side of said wheels to the needle holder orcarrier so that the latter can be moved in a direction away from thewheels 35 and the gathered or plaited portion of the material removedfrom or slid off the threaded needles. The holder or carrier can thenagain be advanced or moved towards the wheels to engage and grip theneedles, and then retracted after release of the needles by the grippingor holding means beyond the wheels to return. the points of th-e needlesto their operative positions in the openings to enable more of thematerial to be gathered or Vplaited and moved on to the threadedneedles.

The needle holder or carrier may be in the form of a suitably guidedplate or table equipped with spring-operated pivoted resilient means forgripping the needles or holding them in position between it and theplate or table.

The means beyond the toothed wheels or at the opposite side thereof tothe needle carrier for gripping or clamping the needles may be in theform of pivoted or lever-operated resilient means adapted to hold theneedles against a suitable surface. Spring means may be provided forretaining said gripping means in its operative position. 'f

Guiding and positioning means is preferably provided forensuring thatthe rear ends of the needles will assume their proper positions on theneedle holder or carrier when the latter is advanced to engage them. l

Means, say in the form of a resilient pad attached to the lever of theneedle gripping means beyond thewheels and adapted toy be brought intocontact with one of the wheels, may also be provided for preventingrotation'of 'the wheels when the needles are being moved or the gatheredmaterial removed. 15

The invention also includes other features of construction, hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

The invention will be more fully explained with the aid of theaccompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the meansor machine.

Fig. 2 is a plan of Fig. 1. y

Fig. 3 is a central sectional side elevation of portion of the machineillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3 showing certain of the parts, indifferent positions, and

Fig. 5 is a'front elevation of portion of the device for guiding theends of the needles into their correct positions in the needle holder.

Referring now to the drawings in which a practical embodiment of thefeatures constituting the invention is illustrated, I denotes the frame,shown of box shape, by which the .various parts of the machine arecarried. 2 is the one and upper toothed wheel, and 3 the other and lower35 toothed wheel adapted to mesh with the wheel 2 to impart the foldingor plaiting for the gathering of the material which passes between thewheels 2, 3. The teeth of the wheels 2, 3, when meshing allow sufhcientclearance between them to permit of the textile material passing betweenthem without cutting or damaging the same.

The lower wheel 3 is pro-vided with end trunnions 4 by which it isrotatably mounted in openended bearings 5 formed in the side members 6of the frame I.

The frame Iv is constructed with openings l, 8, at the front and rearends respectively, and openings 9 at the sides to allow of easy accessto the material being operated upon. It is shown provided at the bottomwith resilient pads I0 by which it is carried.

The upper toothed wheel 2 is rotatably supported through the medium ofits end trunnions I I, I2, in a U-shaped member, bale or bridle I3,

which is pivotally attached at its rear ends to the upper portion of thesides 6 of the frame I, by bolts I4. The wheel 2 is provided with ahandle I5 for rotating it, which is fixed by a screw I6 to the trunnionI2.

I1 are the circumferential or peripheral grooves or recesses shownprovided at regular intervals in the upper wheel 2, and extendinginwardly to the roots of the teeth, and I8--see Figs. 3 and 4--are thecorrespondingly positioned shallow circumferential or peripheral groovesor recesses formed in the lower wheel 3. The grooves I1 and IS in thewheels 2 and 3 respectively form the openings or spaces in which thesharpened end portions of the needles I9 are operatively arranged. Theshallow grooves I8 in the wheel 3 are preferably rounded at the bottomand are only deep enough to accommodate the needles I9 and allow them topass through the spaces or openings, so that the teeth of said wheel 3act to support the needle ends which are kept pressed against them, ashereinafter described.

The needle holder or means for carrying or supporting the needles I9includes a plate or l table 2D, adapted to slide between upper and lowerguide strips 2! 22, respectively, at both sides of the frame I, andfixed, as by welding, to the inside thereof. The plate or table 20 uponits upper surface has fixed to it a further plate 23, which is shownbent over at the forward end, at 23a, to form a stop for the needles I9.The plate 23 is adustably fixed to the table 20 by bolts 24 which passthrough holes in the plate 23 and elongated slots 24a in the table 20.This allows the position of the plate 23 to be varied relative to thetable 20 to accommodate sets of needles of different length and ensurethat when the perforated ends of the needles are against the stop 23a.and the table 29 in its rearmost position, the points of the needles I9will lie approximately centrally between the axes `of the wheels 2, 3.

The table 29 is adapted to move within limits and for this purpose stopsare provided therefor at both back and front. The stop at the front isprovided by a U-shaped piece or bracket 25, the lower central portion 26of which is fixed, as by welding, to the underside of the table 20 nearthe front, and the upstanding sides 21 of which carry the pivot screws28 of the needlegripping device, about to bev described, and the spindle29a of a reel 29 for holding the thread not shown-for each needle I9.The U-shaped bracket 25 acts as a stop for the table 2D in a rearwarddirection by engaging with the frame I at the back of a recess 30 whichit enters. The stop for the table 20 in a forward direction is providedby a transverse piece or strip 3l which, when the table 29 is in itsforemost position, engages with the two lower guiding strips 22. Thetable 26 is constructed with a downturned rear portion 32 for use inmoving it backwards and forwards. It is also constructed with anacuteangled downturned forward portion 33 to which is fixed by screws 34a plate or comb 35 for guiding and centering the needles I9. The plateor comb :i5-see also Fig. 5-is formed with inverted V-shaped teeth 36,leaving V-shaped recesses 31 between them in which the needles I9 arearranged.

The needle-gripping device on the table `2i) consists of spring-operatedmeans for resiliently pressing the needles I9 down on the table 20 attheir rear ends and causing the forward ends to be pressed down upon thelower wheel 3. For this latter purpose the forward portion of thesurface of the table 29 is slightly inclined, as indicated at 29a. Thegripping means includes an inclined plate 38, the forward portion ofwhich is bent downwardly at 39, and the rear substantially horizontalportion tapered towards the rear edge 40, which latter is turnedinwardly. The plate 38 is constructed with side portions 4I through themedium of which it is pivotally connected to the vertical sides 21 ofthe U- shaped bracket 25 by the pivot bolts 28. To the downwardly bentportion 39 is fixed by a plate 42 and bolts 43 the gripping pad 44 ofrubber or other resilient material. The pad 44 is kept pressed down onthe needles I9 to retain them in position by a spring 46 arrangedbetween the underside of the rear portion of the plate 38 and the top ofthe table 29, and fixed to the latter by a screw 45.

The means for gripping the needles I9 at the front of the wheels 2, 3,in order to allow of the gathered material being removed from the rearends thereof includes a bracket or U-shaped member 41 arrangedtransversely of the forward end of the bale or bridle I3, the verticalsides 48 whereof are fixed, as by welding, to the outside of the bale orbridle I3. The central lower portion 49 of the U-shaped member 41 is ofinverted channel shape in cross-section and provides on the top asurface 59 upon which the needles I9 are held by the resilient grippingpad or member 5I. The pad or member 5I is held between a pivoted bar orplate 52 and a lever plate 53, by bolts 54. The bar or plate 52 isfashioned with side wings or lugs 55 by which it is pivotally connectedto the sides of the bale or bridle I3 and sides of the member 41 bypivot bolts 56. The lever plate 53 is shown upwardly directed in itslower portion 51 and tapered and inclined in its upper portion 58. It isturned inwardly at its outer end, as indicated at 59.

Means are provided for retaining the lever plate 53 in the position inwhich the gripping pad 5I is engaging the needles I9 or the surface 59,and such means are shown in the form of a iiat spring 60 fixed by a bolt6I at its lower end to the back of the bale or bridle I3, and formedwith a U-shaped bend at 62 to engage the outer inturned end 59 of thelever plate 53.

To the lever plate 53, above the pivot bolts 56, is attached by bolt 63a resilient piece or pad 64 which is adapted, when the needles I9 arebeing moved in either direction to be brought into contact with theupper wheel 2 to hold the same against rotation and prevent movement ofany material that might be in position between the wheels 2 and 3.

10 are holes in the plate 38 to allow of the insertion of a screw-driverto tighten or loosen the screw-bolts 24.

The bale or bridle I3 at its rear end at one side is constructed with anextension I3a which, when the bridle is moved about its pivots I4 to itsextreme outward position-in which part of it is shown in dotted lines inFig. l-comes into contact with a stop screw 65 fixed in one side 6 ofthe frame l. A pin 66 on the extension I3a has attached to it one end ofa tension spring 61, the other end of which is attached to a pin 68 onthe side of the frame I. This spring 61 serves to buffer or cushion thedownward movement of the bale or bridle I3 and prevent violent contactof the Wheel 2 with the wheel 3 or the material thereon should the =baleor bridle I3 fall or be brought down too violently.

-The long reel 29 for carrying the threads for each needle I9 isconstructed with a plurality of annul-ar grooves 69, one correspondingin position to each needle I9. The threads may be fixed in cuts ornotches at the sides of the grooves 69 in the manner usual with cottonor like reels.

In the operation of the machine I prefer to raise the upper wheel 2 inthe bale or bridle I3 and lay the material on the lower wheel 3 in frontof the needles I9. The bridle I3 is then lowered to cause the wheel 2 tomesh with the wheel 3 and hold the material between them. The needles I9are now in the operative position shown in Figs. 1 to 3. Upon rotationof the handle I5 the material is caused to pass through between thewheels 2, 3, and is folded thereby and pierced by and fed or pressed onto the needles I9. When all the material to be gathered, or sufficientof it more or less loosely to ll the needles I9, has been folded andpressed on to the latter, if necessary the fiat spring 60 is pressedbackwards and the lever plate 53 lowered to bring the resilient pad 64into contact V with the wheel 2 and prevent it rotating. The

table 2B is then slid forwards into the position in which it is shown inFigi, which causes the needles I9 to move between the wheels 2, 3, untilthe ends thereof lie on the surface 50. The lever plate 53 is then movedbackwards and causes the gripping pad 5I to grip the needles I9 tightlyon the surface 50. The gripping pad 44 carried by plate 38 is now raisedto release the perforated ends of the needles I9. The table 23 is thenretracted. The material on the needles I9, or most of it, can now bedrawn off the rear ends of the needles I9, which have previously beenthreaded, so that the running threads serve to retain the folded orplaited formation. The table 20 is then again pushed forwards and therear perforated ends of the needles I9 enter the V-shaped recesses 31 inthe comb or plate 35, are centered therein and come into contact withthe end 23a of the plate 23; the plate 38 being meanwhile pressed downagainst the spring 45 at the back thereof to keep the pad 44 raisedabove the ends of the needles I9. Upon the plate 38 being released itcauses the pad 44 again to grip the needles I9 on the table 20.Thereafter the lever plate 53 is again operated tocause the pad 5I torelease the sharpened ends of the needels I9 and the pad 64 to hold thewheel 2. 'I'he table 20 with the needles I9 gripped thereon is thenretracted and the lever plate 53 actuated torelease the pad 64 from thewheel 2. The needles I9 now lie with their points centrally between theaxes of the wheels 2, 3, and the gathering can again be proceeded with.

The gripping means including plate 38 and pad 44 bends the needles I9downwardly as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 and presses the pointed endsdown on the wheel 3 in the grooves I8 therein, and this ensures that theneedles I9 pierce the material near the upper edges ofthe folds Whensmocking is proceeded with after gathering in this manner the threadsare easily visible and where they pass through the material serve as aguide in the place of the usual dots or marks used in the smockingoperation. If coloured threads be used, or threads of a colourcontrasting with that of the material the operation of smocking will befurther facilitated.

What I claim as my invention and desire to protect by Letters Patent 1.In means for gathering or'plaiting' textile and like materialpreparatory to smocking the same, the combination witha pair of rotatedmeshing toothed wheels constructed with circumferential grooves formingopenings between them and a plurality of needles the points of which areoperatively arranged in said openings, of a needle carrier movabletowards the wheels to pass the needles partially through the openingsand retractable to leave the needles projecting through the openings ortov return them to their operative positions and means located at theopposite side of the wheels to the needle carrier for holding theneedles between the wheels to permit the needle carrier to be retractedand the gathered material to be withdrawn from the needles, as setforth.

2. In means for gathering or plaiting textile and like materialpreparatory to smocking the same, the combination with a pair of rotatedmeshing toothed wheels constructed with circumferential grooves formingopenings between them and a plurality of needles the points of which areoperatively arranged in said openings, of a needle carrier movabletowards the Wheels to pass the needles partially through the openingsand retractable to leave the needles projecting through the openings orto return them to their operative positions, and consisting of a slidingguided table' and means movably connected thereto for grip;

ping the needles between it and the table, and means for holding theneedles beyond the Wheels to permit the needle carrier to be retractedand the gathered material to be withdrawn from the needles, as setforth.

3. In means for gathering or plaiting textile and like materialpreparatory to smocking the same, the combination with -a pair ofrotated meshing toothed wheels constructed with circumferential groovesforming openings between them and a plurality of needles the points ofwhich are operatively arranged in said openings, of a needle carriermovable towards the wheels to pass the needles partially through theopenings and retractable to leave the needles projecting through theopenings or to return them to their operative positions, and consistingof a sliding guided table, lever means pivotally connected thereto andresilient'means carried by the lever and adapted to grip the needlesbetween it and the table, and means for holding the needles beyond thewheels to permit the needle carrier to be retracted and the gatheredmaterial to be withdrawn from the needles, as set forth.

4. In means for gathering or plaiting textile and like materialpreparatory to smocking the same, the combination with a pair of rotatedmeshing toothed wheels constructed with circumferential grooves formingopenings between them and a plurality of needles the points of which areoperatively `arranged in said openings, of a needle carrier movabletowards the wheels to pass the needles partially through the openingsand retractable to leave the needles projecting through the openings orto return them to their operative positions, and consisting of a slidingguided table, spring-actuated lever means pivotally connected theretoand resilient means carried by the lever and adapted to grip the needlesbetween it and the table, and means for holding the needles beyond thewheels to permit the needle carrier to be retracted and the gatheredmaterial to be withdrawn from the needles, as set forth.

5. In means for gathering or plaiting textile and like materialpreparatory to smocking the same, the combination with a pair of rotatedmeshing toothed wheels constructed with circumferential grooves formingopenings between them and a plurality of needles the points of which areoperatively arranged in said openings, of a needle carrier movabletowards the wheels to pass the needles partially through the openingsand retractable to leave the needles projecting through the openings orto return them to their operative positions and means for holding theneedles beyond the wheels to permit the needle carrier to be retractedand the gathered material to be withdrawn from the needles, said lattermeans including a part providing a surface and movable means forclamping the needles between it and said surface, as set forth.

6. In means for gathering or plaiting textile and like materialpreparatory to smocking the same, the combination with a pair of rotatedmeshing toothed wheels constructed with circumferential grooves formingopenings between them and a plurality of needles the points of which areoperatively arranged in said openings, of a needle carrier movabletowards the wheels to pass the needles partially through the openingsand retractable to leave the needles projecting through the openings orto return them to their operative `positions and means for holding theneedles beyond the wheels to permit the needle carrier to be retractedand the gathered material to be withdrawn from the needles, said lattermeans including a part providing a surface, lever means pivotallyarranged in operative relation to said surface and resilient meanscarried by said lever and adapted to yclamp the needles between it andthe surface, as set forth.

7. In means for gathering or plaiting textile and like materialpreparatory to smocking the same, the combination with a pair of rotatedmeshing toothed wheels constructed with circumferential grooves formingopenings bteween them, a hinged bridle in which one of said wheels isrotatably mounted and a plurality of needles the points of which areoperatively arranged in said openings, of a needle carrier movabletowards the wheels to pass the needles partially through the openingsand retractable to leave the needles projecting through the openings orto return them to their operative positions and means for holding theneedles beyond the wheels to permit the needle carrier to be retractedand the gathered material to be withdrawn from the needles, the bridlebeing constructed with a part providing a surface transversely thereof,and the needleholding means including a lever pivoted to the bridle andresilient means carried by said lever and adapted to clamp the needlesbetween it and the surface, as set forth.

8. In means for gathering or plaiting textile and like materialpreparatory to smocking the same, the combination with a pair of rotatedmeshing toothed wheels constructed with circumferential grooves formingopenings between them, a hinged bridle in which one of said wheels isrotatably mounted and a plurality of needles the points of which areoperatively arranged in said openings, of a needle carrier movabletowards the wheels to pass the needles partially through the openingsand retractable to leave the needles projecting through the openings orto return themh to their operative positions and means for holding theneedles beyond the wheels to permit the needle carrier to be retractedand the gathered material to be withdrawn from the needles, the bridlebeing constructed with a part providing a surface transversely thereof,and the needle-holding means including a lever pivoted to the bridle,resilient means carried by said lever and adapted to clamp the needlesbetween it and the surface and spring means for retaining the lever inthe clamping position, as set forth.

9. In means for gathering or plaiting textile and like materialpreparatory to smocking the same, the combination with a pair of rotatedmeshing toothed wheels constructed with circumferential grooves formingopenings between them, a hinged bridle in which one of said wheels isrotatably mounted and a plurality of needles the points of which areoperatively arranged in said openings, of a needle carrier movabletowards the wheels to pass the needles partially through the openingsand retractable to leave the needles projecting through the openings orto return them to their operative positions, and consisting of a slidingguided table,

spring-actuated lever means pivotally connected to the table andresilient means carried by the lever and adapted to grip the needlesbetween it and the table, and means for holding the needles beyond thewheels to permit the needle carrier to be retracted and the gatheredmaterial to be withdrawn from the needles, the bridle being constructedwith a part providing a surface transversely thereof, and theneedle-holding means including a lever pivoted to the bridle andresilient means carried by said lever and adapted to clamp the needlesbetween it and the surface, as set forth.

l0. In means for gathering or plaiting textile and like materialpreparatory to smocking the same, the combination with a pair of rotatedmeshing toothed wheels constructed with circumferential grooves formingopenings between them and a plurality of needles the points of which areoperatively arranged in said openings, of a needle carrier movabletowards the wheels to pass the needles partially through the openingsand retractable to leave the needles projecting through the openings orto return them to their operative positions, and consisting of a slidingguided table, stops for limiting the movement of the tab-le in bothdirections and means movably connected to the table for gripping theneedles between it and the table, and means for holding the needlesbeyond the wheels to permit the needle carrier to be retracted and thegathered material to be withdrawn from the needles, as set forth.

l1. In means for gathering or plaiting textile and like materialpreparatory to smocking the same, the combination with a pair of rotatedmeshing toothed wheels constructed with circumferential grooves formingopenings between them andv a plurality of needles the points of whichare operatively arranged in said openings, of a needle carrier movabletowards the wheels to pass the needles partially through the openingsand retractable to leave the needles projecting through the openings orto return them to their operative positions, and consisting of a slidingguided table, means movably connected to the table for gripping theneedles between it and the table, and an adjustable stop carried by thetable against which the ends of the needles engage, and means forholding the needles beyond the wheels to permit the needle carrier to beretracted and the gathered material to be Withdrawn from the needles, asset forth.

12. In means for gathering or plaiting textile and like materialpreparatory to smocking the same, the combination with a pair of rotatedmeshing toothed wheels constructed with circumferential grooves formingopenings between them and a, plurality of needles the points of whichare operatively arranged in said openings, of a needle carrier movabletowards the Wheels to pass the needles partially through the openingsand retractable to leave the needles projecting through the openings orto return them to their operative positions, and consisting of a slidingguided table and means movably connected thereto for gripping theneedles between it and the table, means for guiding the needles to thetable and centering them thereon and means for holding the needlesbeyond the wheels to permit the needle carrier to be retracted and thegathered material to be withdrawn from the needles, as set forth.

13. In means for gathering or plaiting textile material and the likepreparatory to smocking the same, the combination with a pair of rotatedmeshing toothed wheels constructed with circumferential grooves formingopenings between them and a plurality of needles the points of which areoperatively arranged in said openings, of a needle carrier movabletowards the Wheels to pass the needles partially through the openingsand retractable to leave the needles projecting through the openings rto return them to their operative positions, and consisting of a slidingguided table, means movably connected thereto for gripping the needlesbetween it and the table and means, in the form of a comb havingV-shaped teeth, carried by the table for guiding the needles to thetable and positioning them thereon, and means for holding the needlesbeyond the wheels to permit lthe needle carrier to be retracted and thegathered material to be withdrawn from the needles, as set forth.

14. In means for gathering or plaiting textile and like materialpreparatory to smocking the same, the combination with a pair of rotatedmeshing toothed wheels constructed with circumferential grooves formingopenings between them and a plurality of needles the points of which areoperatively arranged in said openings, of a needle carrier movabletowards the wheels to pass the needles partially through the openingsand retractable to leave the needles projecting through the openings orto return them to their operative positions, means located at theopposite side of the wheels to the needle carrier for holding theneedles between the wheels to permit the needle carrier to be retractedand the gathered material to be withdrawn from the needles and means forpreventing rotation of the Wheels when the needles are moved through theopenings between them or the material is being removed, as set forth.

15. In means for gathering or plaiting textile and like materialpreparatory to smocking the same, the combination with a pair of rotatedmeshing toothed wheels constructed with circumferential grooves formingopenings between them, a hinged bridle in which one of said wheels isrotatably mounted and a plurality of needles the points of which areoperatively arranged in said openings, of a needle carrier movabletowards the wheels to pass the needles partially through the openingsand retractable to leave the needles projecting through the openings ortoreturn them to their operative positions, means including a leverpivoted to the bridle and resilient means carried by said lever forholding the needles beyond the wheels to permit the needle carrier to beretracted and the gathered material to be withdrawn from the needles,and means in the form of a resilient pad carried by the lever forpreventing rotation of the wheels when the needles are moved through theopenings between them or the material is removed, the bridle beingconstructed with a part providing a surface transversely thereof withwhich the resilient needleholding means co-operates to grip the needles,as set forth.

GABRIEL CHRISTIAAN ERASMUS KEET.

